In this crazy game of life one simply can't make it to
the end without having at least a couple of addictions. Caffeine, video games, alcohol,
adrenaline, gambling.the list is truly endless. It would appear that Squamish is addicted to many things, not least of
which is bad locations for controversial development proposals, the newest being
the bingo barn.

Make no mistake, this B.C. Lottery Corporation
bingo project is not about fitting into the future vision of Squamish
or a desire to make our community better. This
bingo barn is all about money.

Funny enough, it's all about our money. You see, at this
moment in time, B.C. is faced with the largest debt in its history. Gordon
Campbell's Liberals have not only created the largest debt, but their
projection for growth continues to slip into never-before-seen levels.
Since selling off all our assets takes time, money has to come from somewhere.
Hence their plan to increase gambling revenue by at least 100 per cent.

This brings us to the first public meeting Monday,
which was, well, a bit of a joke. The room was filled to capacity, only
because we were stuffed into a closet guaranteeing to leave people standing
in the hall. Then, like all public meetings, came the parade of pretty
pictures. Key points hammered home was that 25 jobs will be created. Quick
math discovered that these people will be earning well below the poverty
level but there are many positions available from janitor right up to
concession staff. They also repeated over and over again that this is
not a gambling hall or a bingo barn, it's an "entertainment
facility".

As for charities, well this is where it gets tricky.
Select charities will be eligible for a pittance, however many groups
will find the autocratic red tape impossible to pass. Like I said, all
they care about is money.

Sure the Legion, Elks Hall, and Totem Hall have bingo
with the proceeds going to local charities, but it's about more than just
money, it's about meeting your friends at "the hall" for a good
time. Friends are what gives the hall its character and its lifeblood,
and that's what this entertaining bingo barn facility will take away.
Although they pointed out that "our intention is not to shut down
all the other bingos in town." I suppose that part is just business.

Of course like with any development in town, questions
were raised about the infamous Irly Bird location at the end of Cleveland
avenue. Once again it was pointed out that BC Rail owns the land and we'll
all be dead in the cold, cold ground before they ever do anything to help
our community move forward.

So it stands, there are a few more hoops to jump
through before the future look and feel of Squamish is given a 15-year
lease. Unless people raise a stink at the next public meeting, Vegas odds
have the future of Squamish welcoming visitors from around the world with
a big ol' B-I-N-G-O.